LAS VEGAS (Interstat) — Alyssa Thomas scored 20 points and dished nine assists as the Phoenix Mercury overwhelmed the Las Vegas Aces 99-66 on Saturday. The Mercury raced to a 27-21 lead after the first quarter and stretched the margin to 56-35 by halftime, holding the defending champions to 10 points in the third quarter. Phoenix shot 49.4 percent from the floor and 45.8 percent from three-point range while forcing 17 turnovers. Natasha Mack added 10 points and 15 rebounds for the Mercury. A’ja Wilson led Las Vegas with 19 points but the Aces shot just 40.8 percent and turned the ball over 17 times. The victory avenged last season’s WNBA Finals sweep by the Aces. Attendance was 16,511 at Mortgage Matchup Center. Phoenix improved to 1-0; Las Vegas fell to 0-1.